The formal Excellence Gala and awards presentation was last month in San
Francisco as part of IABC’s World Conference.

The Gold Quill Awards program recognizes business communication
excellence globally and is widely regarded as one of the most
prestigious awards programs in the industry. Award winners were
announced in the spring of this year.

“This award is a gratifying honor because it recognizes our efforts to
foster participation and understanding in Southern employee benefits,”
said Head. “I’d like to extend my congratulations to Michelle Toney,
Southern’s Director of Benefits, and her team on their exceptional work
communicating our company 401(k) benefits.”

The Gold Quill evaluators recognized Southern’s successful efforts to
increase employee participation in the Southern 401(k) plan. Toney
collaborated with PartnerComm, an employee communication firm, in
developing three unique mailers. Each addressed specific 401(k) benefits
based on an employee’s years of service at Southern. The mailers also
served as an enrollment form, allowing employees to detach and mail the
form to start participating in the Southern 401(k) plan.

Southern’s work communicating the 401(k) plan also earned the company a
Gold Quill in 2013.

“Gold Quill sets out to recognize communication that meets a business
need: either solving a problem, working through an issue, or maximizing
an opportunity. It’s not just about attractive execution. We look for
strategic impact,” said Priya Bates ABC MC, 2015 International Gold
Quill Chair.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine
and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 35 markets. The
multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida,
Kentucky, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Maine,
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and
Wyoming. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska
and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
employs more than 14,000 team members. Southern urges all retail
customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its
products responsibly. For more information about Southern and its
responsible consumption program, visit: http://www.southernwine.com.